16.194 - IOWA JOBS PROGRAM.
16.194 IOWA JOBS PROGRAM.
1. An Iowa jobs program is created to assist in the development
and completion of public construction projects relating to disaster
relief and mitigation and to local infrastructure. "Local
infrastructure" includes projects relating to disaster rebuilding,
reconstruction and replacement of local public buildings, flood
control and flood protection, and future flood prevention.
2. A city or county or a public organization in this state may
submit an application to the Iowa jobs board for financial assistance
for a local infrastructure competitive grant for an eligible project
under the program, notwithstanding any limitation on the state's
percentage in funding as contained in section 29C.6, subsection 17.
3. Financial assistance under the program shall be awarded in the
form of grants.
4. The board shall consider the following criteria in evaluating
eligible projects to receive financial assistance under the program:
a. The total number and quality of jobs to be created and the
benefits likely to accrue to areas distressed by high unemployment.
b. Financial feasibility, including the ability of projects
to fund depreciation costs or replacement reserves, and the
availability of other federal, state, local, and private sources of
funds.
c. Sustainability and energy efficiency.
d. Benefits for disaster recovery.
e. The project's readiness to proceed.
5. An applicant must demonstrate local support for the project as
defined by rule.
6. Any award of financial assistance to a project shall be
limited as follows:
a. Up to seventy-five percent of the total cost of a project
for replacing or rebuilding existing disaster-related damaged
property.
b. Up to fifty percent of the total cost for all other
projects.
7. In order for a project to be eligible to receive financial
assistance from the board, the project must be a public construction
project pursuant to subsection 1 with a demonstrated substantial
local, regional, or statewide economic impact.
8. The board shall not approve an application for assistance for
any of the following purposes:
a. To refinance a loan existing prior to the date of the
initial financial assistance application.
b. For a project that has previously received financial
assistance under the program, unless the applicant demonstrates that
the financial assistance would be used for a significant expansion of
a project.
9. a. The total amount of allocations for future flood
prevention, reconstruction and replacement of local public buildings,
disaster rebuilding, flood control and flood protection projects
shall not exceed one hundred sixty-five million dollars for the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.
b. Any portion of an amount allocated for projects that
remains unexpended or unencumbered one year after the allocation has
been made may be reallocated to another project category, at the
discretion of the board. The board shall ensure that all bond
proceeds be expended within three years from when the allocation was
initially made.
10. The board shall ensure that funds obligated under this
section are coordinated with other federal program funds received by
the state, and that projects receiving funds are located in
geographically diverse areas of the state.
11. For purposes of this section, "public organization" means
a nonprofit organization that sponsors or supports the public needs
of the local community. Section History: Recent Form
2009 Acts, ch 173, §8, 36
Referred to in § 12.87, 16.192, 16.193, 16.195, 16.196, 16.197